Roxtec Middle East FZE, a safety seal manufacturer based in Dubai, has announced that it is experiencing its best year of trading in the power sector across the region. The company, located in the Jebel Ali Freezone, has reported a 20 percent growth in its power division and expanded its workforce to 20 employees, having added three new hires in the past year.

This impressive growth follows several high-profile contracts, including a significant role in Project Lightning, the first subsea cable project in the Middle East. This project, valued at $3.8 billion, is designed to implement a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission system for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC), connecting its offshore operations to the onshore power grid in the United Arab Emirates.

To meet the project’s requirements, Roxtec engineered custom cable sealing solutions to facilitate the HVDC switching from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power. The seals are specifically designed to prevent water ingress and protect against electromagnetic interference for four subsea cable seals, which will carry power of up to 400 kilovolt (kV) over a distance of more than 100 kilometers on the seabed. This initiative aims to connect low-carbon power from the mainland grid to ADNOC’s production facilities, ultimately reducing the carbon footprint of offshore operations by as much as 30 percent.

According to UAE News 24/7, Ihab Zourob, the power and processing manager at Roxtec, stated that the company will showcase its extensive range of cable sealing products at the upcoming Middle East Energy trade show, scheduled at the Dubai World Trade Center from April 7-9. He emphasized that there is a growing demand for Roxtec’s seals in the clean energy sector across the MENA region, which includes applications in batteries, solar energy, green hydrogen, nuclear power, wind farms, and conventional oil and gas operations.

Mr. Zourob highlighted the UAE’s leadership in the global Energy Strategy 2050, which aims for net-zero emissions by 2050. This strategy includes plans to triple renewable energy capacity and increase the share of clean energy in the total energy mix to 30% by 2030 and 50% by 2050. Roxtec is also contributing to this decarbonization effort by collaborating with ADNOC on its inaugural carbon capture project at the Habshan gas plant, where its multidiameter technology is employed as a cable sealing solution to protect against various hazards.

He remarked, “The last year has been very strong for Roxtec in the power industry,” noting the complexities arising from the shifting energy demands in the UAE. Roxtec’s cable seals are designed to safeguard buildings, people, and infrastructure from diverse hazards, including explosions, fire, electromagnetic interference, and flooding. With the emergence of new clean power sources in the MENA region, the need for robust cable sealing solutions has intensified to ensure a reliable power supply.

Additionally, Mr. Zourob confirmed that Roxtec has appointed new Sales Managers in Basra, Iraq, and Tunisia over the past year to enhance growth and provide local support to its customers in North Africa.

Roxtec, founded in Sweden in 1990, is recognized as the global leader in manufacturing innovative cable and pipe transit systems, serving many of the world’s largest companies. It operates in more than 80 markets, generating over £220 million in turnover and employing more than 1,000 staff across 30 subsidiaries. The company’s products are specifically designed to seal cables and pipes, protecting people, buildings, and equipment from various hazards.